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August
4, 2005
Bone
marrow/stem cell recruitment drive
deemed a resounding success
More than 500 people donate during the two-day drive
MARQUETTE — Organizers
of a two-day Bone Marrow/Stem Cell donor recruitment drive have
deemed the effort a resounding success.
Unofficially, 545 people from across the region participated in
the recruitment drives held July 27-28 at the Ishpeming Armory
and St. Peter’s Cathedral in Marquette. Organizers had optimistically
hoped that between 300 and 500 people would be tested.
The recruitment
drive was held to increase the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry
and help Upper Peninsula patients in their fight against cancer.
The Lake Superior Community Partnership, Bell Hospital Foundation,
Marquette General Health System, WLUC-TV 6 and The Mining Journal
sponsored the drives.
“The Lake Superior Community Partnership continues to believe
that to have economic growth, you must have a community that people
want to live in,” said Amy Clickner, Director of Operations
for the Lake Superior Community Partnership. “That is why
collaborating with Marquette General and the Bell Foundation on
the drive was a natural fit for us. The people of Marquette County
continue to amaze me with their generosity and passion to help
a neighbor in need.”
Terry Reser, Program Director of the Upper Michigan Cancer Center
at Marquette General, marveled at the outpouring of support.
“It was terrific,” Reser said. “The community
really took it upon themselves to help increase the numbers of
potential bone marrow/stem cell donors. The Upper Michigan Cancer
Center is pleased to be a part of the effort.”
Added Rich Rossway, Director of Community Relations at Bell Hospital:
“Bell Hospital feels privileged to be a part of the team
that organized the Bone Marrow Drive. It's an event like this
that reminds us what a truly wonderful and unique community we
live in.”
More than 200 cancer patients from the Upper Peninsula are potential
candidates for bone marrow transplants, Reser said.
Among the patients who could potentially benefit from the bone
marrow/stem cell drives is Mike Willard, 50, of Marquette. Just
over a year ago, Willard was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
A successful bone marrow/stem cell transplant is his only hope
for surviving the rare cancer.
A number of area fund-raisers were held prior to the recruitment
drives to help cover the processing fees for each $125 test.
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